Corrections Food Service Instructor - SCI Pine Grove

About the Department

The Corrections Food Service Instructor position with the Department of Corrections (DOC) at  the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Pine Grove offers a unique chance to share your passion for food service with individuals who are eager to learn new skills. This role allows you to teach hands-on techniques that help inmates grow and prepare for future opportunities. You will guide kitchen operations while encouraging teamwork, responsibility, and pride in quality work. This is a meaningful role for someone who enjoys both food service and helping others develop confidence and ability.

Position Duties

This position supports the food service operations of SCI Pine Grove by leading inmate workers and providing hands-on vocational training. It requires strong food service knowledge, attention to safety, and a commitment to teaching practical skills.

As a Corrections Food Service Instructor, you will perform the following duties:

• Skill Instruction: Teach inmates food preparation, production, service, baking, and safe use of tools and equipment
• Meal Preparation: Guide inmates in following recipes, preparing meals on schedule, and maintaining quality standards
• Safety Oversight: Inspect food areas, equipment, and products to ensure compliance with sanitation and safety requirements
• Inventory Management: Requisition, receive, store, and rotate food and supplies using first in, first out procedures
• Work Supervision: Assign tasks, review performance, maintain records, and ensure care, custody, and control during work activities
• Waste Reduction: Adjust recipes based on census data and recycle leftover food into usable products as appropriate

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work shifts TO BE DETERMINED. You will have rotating days off.
  • 1st shift 4:30 AM to 12:30 PM
  • 2nd shift 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM
• This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $49,010.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years of experience in food preparation, production, or service of a variety of complete meal menus in an institutional food service operation, food catering service, restaurant, or in a similar large-scale food production operation; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements: 

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements. 

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). 
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.  
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options. 

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.* 

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerCommonwealth of PennsylvaniaAddress 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120 Website http://www.employment.pa.gov